Manuscript

Introduction to the Treasure of the Syriac Language

"It is well-known by scholars, that the Syriac language was at that time the spoken language of the population, which lived in large numbers in the eastern areas, that is Syria, Beth Nahrin (Mesopotamia), Assyria and the land of Sinear and its environments. All these territories were called Beth Aram by the Jews, as it is revealed in the Old Testament. For Aram, the son of Shem, ruled over them and populated them with his offspring. For this reason, the language is not called Syriac in the Old [Testament], but ‘Aramaic’, which is its genuine and original name, as it appears to us. For the Christian doctrine prospered first in that part of Beth Aram, which was called especially by the Greeks Syria, and primarily prospered first in Antiochia, the mother of all cities, where the disciples were called christians for the first time. All the people from Beth Aram, who became christians, were called Syriacs. Everyone of the children of the Aramean race, and especially the clergy, should care for, learn and sponsor the precious Aramaic language."

Manuscript

Treasure of the Syriac Language

“Arameans, that is, Syriacs (Suryoye). Aramaic language, [that is] Syriac (Suryoyo).”